Rams Win 44-8

The cold wet weather that came in last Friday did not slow down the Akron Ram Football Team as they picked up their fifth victory of the season by defeating the Caliche Buffaloes 44-8. This was also the teams third league contest and the victory brings their league record to 2-1. (5-1 overall). Caliche came into the contest with a 5-0 record looking to spoil the Rams homecoming. The Rams had different plans as they jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in route to a 36 point victory.
Caliche chose to take the ball to start the game and the Ram defense held the Buffs on their first possession. After taking over, the Ram offense found pay dirt early when Austin Spear got loose on a sweep play on the second play of the drive and took the ball 68 yards for a touchdown. Jared Clarkson ran in the two point conversion and the Rams led 8-0 with 10:23 left in the first quarter. The Ram defense would again hold on Caliche's next possession giving the ball back to the Ram offense once again. This time the Rams put together a longer drive mixing runs and passes with Jared Clarkson, Riley Samber, Austin Spear and Levi Hottinger. Hottinger finished off the drive with an eight yard touchdown run. Hottinger then caught a pass from Clarkson for the two point conversion making the score 16-0 Rams with 5:56 left in the first quarter. A series of botched kick-offs by the Rams gave Caliche a short field and they took advantage as they marched the ball inside the Ram ten yard line.

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The Buffaloes then got on the scoreboard when Bret Quint dove into the end zone from four yards out. A successful Yahn to Stieb pass on the conversion made the score 16-8 Rams with 2:32 left in the first quarter. Another quick stop by the defense gave the ball right back to the Ram offense and again the Rams went to work and scored again when Clarkson ran the ball in from one yard out. The successful conversion run by Hottinger made the score 24-8 Rams with :12 left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Buffs put together a nice drive into Ram territory but they were denied when Clarkson picked off a pass in the end zone. The Ram offense again went to work. On third and long from the Ram thirty five yard line, Clarkson found Garret Basler on 64 yard pass moving the Rams into scoring position once again. A few plays later Hottinger crossed the goal line from five yards out. A failed conversion left the score at 30-8 with 6:58 left in the second quarter. The Rams put together another drive before half but fumbled deep in Caliche territory.
The Rams spent much of the second half churning out yards on long drives and playing solid defense. The Rams scored in the third when Riley Samber broke loose on a 17 yard run for a touchdown. Clarkson threw to Spear for a successful two point conversion bringing the score to 38-8 with 3:51 left in the third quarter. This same theme continued into the fourth quarter as the Ram defense held and the Ram offense ran the clock. Riley Samber found the end zone again on a five yard run and after a failed extra point kick the Rams led 44-8. That score would stand as both teams put in their reserves to finish the game.
Coach Christensen said, "I was pleased with our overall effort. I felt we finally put together a complete game. We did commit far too many penalties and we need to sharpen up our special teams. We will continue to work at getting better". The Rams hit the road this week to take on the Sedgwick County Cougars. The game will be played in Ovid at 7:30 p.m. this Friday night.
Akron Offensive Stats-524 total yards and 20 first downs. Rushing-Levi Hottinger 25 for 133, Austin Spear 13 for 116, Riley Samber 8 for 65, Jared Clarkson 10 for 58, Darion Gibbs 3 for 7 and Austin Couch 2--1; Passing-Jared Clarkson 9 of 14 for 146 yards; Receiving-Garret Basler 2 for 75 yards, Levi Hottinger 3 for 46 yards, Riley Samber 2 for 14 yards, and Austin Spear 2 for 11 yards. Defense-Tackles-Levi Hottinger 15, Alton Brent 9, Garret Basler 8, Casey Krening 5, Austin Spear 5, Jared Clarkson 4, Riley Samber 2, Reed Christensen 2, Austin Couch 2, Tyler Hottinger 2, Michael Peterson 2, Tanner Watson 2 and Josh Quint 1. Sacks- Riley Samber 1, Michael Peterson 1 and Jared Clarkson 1. Interceptions- Jared Clarkson 1.